Fuel tank filling and protecting device



May 30, 1933. F E CASEY 1,911,987

FUEL TANK FILLING AND PROT'ECTING DEVICE Filed June 15, 1932 2 sheet's-sheet 1 INVENTOR Frank EA Cuszj May so; 193.3. F E CASEY 1,911,987

FUEL TANK FILLING AND PROTECTING DEVICE Filed June 15, 1932 2 sheets-sheet 2 FanK case RNEYJ.

Patented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK E. CASEY, OF CHICAGO,` ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 NATIONAL PNEUMATIC COM- PANY, OF NEW YORK., N. Y., CORPORATION 0F WEST VIRGINIA FUEL TANK FILLING AND PROTECTING DEVICE applieation inea :une 15,

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of fuel tanks by means of which the tank may be filled Without overflowing it and stealing of fuel from the tank is prevented.

The invention also relates to improvements in discharge nozzles for fuel pumps tank and automatically cutting off the supply of fuel to the tank when it is filled to the predetermined level.

This apparatus is so constructed that it prevents stealing of fuel from a tank.

In conjunction with the invention a novelv form of filling spout is employed connected to the delivery hose of the fuel source constructed so that, except When'used in conjunction with the improved tank structure, it is practically impossible to discharge fuel through the spout.

These 'and many other obje-cts, as will appear from the following disclosure, are secured by means of this invention.

This invention resides substantially inthe combination, construction, arrangement, and

relative location of parts, all as will be described in greater detail in the following specification and set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings-- .Figure 1 is-a cross-sectional view through the entire apparatus of this invention showing the spout in position to lill the tank and showing the circuit connections involved;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a modified portion of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a Vertical cross-sectional View through a'modified form of device showing the locking means mounted on the filling spout; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view 1932. serial No.`s17,s71

through a modied form of floatoperated switch.

In the operation of vehicles driven by internal combustion engines Which are operated by liquid fuel, such as gasoline, there are several sources of loss and Wastage of fuel due to carelessness and pilfering. These losses are incident to the operation of all automobiles, but are particularly prevalent in connection with the operation of motor coaches where one of the biggest items of operating expense is that absorbed by the fuel.

In connection with all automobiles, one source, of loss of fuel due to carelessness is that arising from the fact that in filling they fuel tank it is often overfiovved so that a sizable quantity of fuel is lost. Another source of loss is that due to the unauthorized Withdrawal of fuel from the tank by Siphoning it out. In addition, a further source of loss is encountered, particularly in connection with the operation of motor coaches and buses by large companies, Where the employees of the company often fill their private cars at the expense of the company from the companys fuel pumps.

The general object of this invention is to prevent and completely eliminate loss of fuel Lfrom all of these sources. It is, of course, apparent that this invention is not limited to the automobile industry, or to use with fuel tanks since it is applicable, either in part or in whole, to the filling of all tanks with liquid.

The nature of the invention will be more readily understood by detail reference to the drawings. A portion of the fuel tank is shown at 1, which tank may of course be of any suitable size and construction and 'which does` not form by itself any part cf this invention. The top o'f the tank is indiplishing the invention. lThe lower end ofA top portion 6, as shown, and formed integral y with a tubular extension 7 to which a iiex#f ible or other hose8 is permanently secured. This tube or hose 8 connects with the source of fuel, usually a pump in the case of automobiles. Mounted within the tube is a valve seat 9 upon which a valve 11 may seat to close off the upper portion of the tube and the hose 8 from the lower end of the spout. At 13 is a guide or spider, of'which several may be employed if desired, to slidably 1support the vertical. stem 12 of the valve 11. At 14 is a heavy spring lying between the valve 11 and the top of the head 6l ofthe tube so as to normally hold the valve 11 on itsseat. Preferably formed integral with the tube 2 is a small casing 15 within which a solenoid 16 is mounted.4 The plunger 17 of the solenoid is formed to provide a latch.-

member which may engage with a notch 18 on the outside surface of the spout 5. A spriJug 19 normally holds the plunger 17 in the position shown in the drawings so that the end thereof will project into the tube 2.

As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the latch 17 may be formed with a shoulder to revent it from protruding into tube 2 no Further than suicient to perform itslockin function.

ikewise secured in the tank 1 through an opening is a tube 20 which projects down intothe tank and is open at the bottom. This tube opens exteriorly of the tank and is provided with a cover 21 which, when in place, secures a disc 22 of insulating material between it and the tgube. Pivotally mounted at 23 on the disc 22 is a bell cran lever having the contact arm 24 and a lower frame 25 to be engaged by a float 28 within the tube 20. The oat may be made of any suitable material, such as cork, aluminum, or the like. The tube 20l is provided with breather openings 100 for an obvious purpose. Mounted on the disc 22 is a contact 26 and at 27 is another terminal^electrically connected to the contact arm 24. As shown, terminal 27 may be a portion of the means for securing the pivotal support 23 to the disc. l

Terminal 27 is connected by wire 29 to one terminal of the solenoid 16. Contact 26 is connected by wire 30 to one terminal of a suitable current source 31' which may be,

for example, a storage battery on an automobile. The other terminal of the current source 31 is connected by wire 32 to one terminal of an enclosed switch 33 by means'fo-,

a wire 32. A switch V33 is mounted on the casing 15 and is preferably of an enclosed;v i

construction Iso that it will not be a lire hazard as an sparking.

is connected by wire 36 to the other terminal o'pen switch would be because of he other terminal of this switch of the solenoid 16. Switch 33 is provided' `with an operating button or arm 34 which is engaged by an extension or arm 35 which is inte al with the spout, as shown.

In t e operation of this device the cap (not shown) 'is removed from the tube 2 and the spout moves into place the valve stem 12 engages the fixed stop 4 so as to raise valve 1101i itsseat and compress spring 14. W

The attendant may then fill the tank by operating the pump until the liquid in the tank reaches a predetermined liquid level line, at which -time float 28 will have engaged arm 25 and-move the contact arm 24 ihto engagement with`contact 26. The float will, of course, travel upwardly with the'liquid level because tube 20 is open to the interior of the tank. Upon engagement of contact arm 24`with contact 26 the circuit to solenoid 16 ywill be completed so that current will iiow through wire 32, closed switch 33, wire 36, solenoid 16, wire 29, terminal 27, contact yarm 24, contact 26, wire 30back to the current source. This willv energize the solenoid causing it to withdraw plunger 17 out of the notch 18. Spring 14 which is compressed, will then kick the spout upwardly to a .point where valve 11 is on its seat 9 and notch 18 is above the latch 17. The upward 'kicking movement of the s out will notify the attendant that theta is full. The supply of gasoline will, of course, be automatically cut off. The spout is then removed and the cap replaced on the tube 2. When the spout is kicked upwardly arm 35 disengages the operating' member 34 'of switch 33 so that the solenoid is deenergized. Switch 33 is desirable because, by means of it, the solenoid is cut out of circuit even though contact member 24 remains in engagement with A contact 26until the' 1liquid level has fallen somewhat. It will be seen, therefore, that the tank is always filled to a predetermined thorized person to abstract any substantial quantity of gasoline from the filled tank. Withdrawal of gasoline is rendered difficult also becauseof the construction of the tube and the presence of the rod 4 projecting up into it. These parts may be proportioned so that it is practically' impossible to get la siphoning tube into the gasoline. Even when this is done gasoline can only be extracted until the level falls to the bottom of the basket. Y

Another feature and advantage of the invention is that the spout 5 is closed by valve 11 which is held on its seat by the spring 14, which can be made very strong. In an actual device valve stem 11 will terminate much closer to the guiding spider 13 so that it will be .practically impossible to holdv the valve open manually and atl the same time discharge gasoline from the spout. Thus, by this construction, unauthorized persons will find considerable difiiculty in filling tanks. which are not equipped with the remainder of t-he apparatus. The efficiency of such a device will be increased when used by large bus companies if only busses and the like are equipped with the complete invention. A l

It will be apparent that the float switch may be operated in many other ways. For example, a modified arrangement is shown in Fig. 2 where the bottom of the tank is shown at 40. It is provided with a suiiiciently large opening which is closed and sealed by means of a flexible disc 42. The opening is surrounded by a closed casing 43 in which is mounted an insulating support 45 for a contact 46. The flexible plate 42 is provided with a cooperating contact 44. As before, the wires 30 and 32 are connected to the contacts 44 and 46 so that when the tank is filled t0 a predetermined level the weight of the gasoline on the flexible plate 42 will have curved it downwardly to a`point where contact 44 engages contact 46 to complete the circuit to the solenoid. Many other equivalent arrangements may be employed for completing the circuit to the solenoid, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of structure in which the locking mechanism is mounted directly on the filling spout and in which the tank tube is provided with a spring operated valve to further aid in preventing Siphoning of the fuel from the tank. As before the tank is shown at 1 provided with a filling tube 2 projecting into the tank and enclosed at the end. The closed end of the filling tube is provided with openings as before through which the fuel passes into the tank. Instead of a fixed stopl rod 4 a vertically slidable rod 4 is employed and mounted in a spider 13 for slidably supporting it. This rod is provided with a valve disc 4a upon which a spring 4 presses to normally hold it by means on a valve seat member 4U.' Thus the rod 4 becomes a valve stem and acts as a stop rod as before after it has moved downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3. 4The filling spout 5 as before fits into the tube 2 and is provided with a top casing 6to which is attached the integral tubular extension 7 v tank and filling tube is inithis form of the device constructed integrally with the filling spout. The filling spout is provided with a casing 50 within which is mounted .the solenoid 16 provided'with a slidable plunger core 17 normallyv held in the position shown of a spring 19. Pivotally mounted in the casing 50 on` the pivot pin 52 is a latch arm 54 whichA is pivotally secured at 53 to the plunger 17. The filling tube is provided with notches 51` as shown, to be engaged by the latch arm 54. Formed integralwith the filling tube 2'isa second casing 55 in which the Contact prong receiving sockets 56 are mounted and insulated from each other.- The lower end of the casing 50 is formed into a right angle portion. as shown, and has slidably mounted therein an electric connecting plug 57 made of suitable Ainsulating material. Projecting from the lovvel` end of the plug are the contact prongs 60 arranged to fit into the contact 'receptacles 56..l A spring 50 is interposed between the plug and supporting fiange so as to permit the upward movement of the filling spout and attached parts for a Asuflicient distancel to free the latch arm from the notches before the contact prongs are removed from the contact receptacles thus maintaining the-circuit to the solenoid 16. To fill a tank with this devicethe filling spout is inserted in the filling tube to the position shown in Fig. 3 so that valve disc,4a is unseatcd and its stem 4 moved down to contact with the end wall of the filling tube so that -spring 4c is comllU presse'd. Further movement of the filling spout into the tube causes valve disc 11 to unseat and compress spring 14. When the filling spout is fully inserted latch arm 54 engages one of the notches51 of the .filling tube so as to hold the parts in the position shown. At the same time the contact prongs 60 pass into the contact receptacles 56. Wire 62, for example, is connected to the current source and wire 61 is connected as before to the fioat switch which is open since the tank is not full. Fuel may then be pumped into the tank vuntil the ,fioa-t valve=closesatwhichg time solenoid 16 becomes energized pulling its plunger -upwardly and withdrawing the latch lever 5 4 out of contact with the notches 51. Spring 14 then kicks the filling spout and connected'parts upwardly so that valve discs 4 and 11 seat Y and the latch leveris moved up beyond the notches. The dircuit to the solenoid 16 remains closed and spring 59 is compressed as plug 57 remains stationary. The filling spout may thenh be removed and contact prongs 60'break the circuit after both valves are closed. -The circuit to the solenoid is completed to the contact rongs throughfthe wires 63 and 64. With't is construction an unauthorized s iphoning of fuel from the tank is furtherv preventedk by the valve'in the fillin tube.

An ad itional feature of this invention is that most-of the mechanism is mounted on the filling spout and the modification of the tank of each vehicle involves a relatively simple structural change or addition. Thus relatively fewer specially `,constructed filling spouts are necessary ber 'of vehicles.

In the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 4 a mercury switch is employed in the iloat tube instead of an open switch as is shown in Fig. 1 in order to prevent the danger of fire and explosion by reason of sparking at the switch. In thls 4case an arm' 66 n is pivotally mounted on a standard 65 and may be carried out in many other physical forms and I do not, therefore, desireto be strictly limited'to the disclosure, as given for.purposes of illustration, butrather to the scope -of the appended claims.

What I seek to' secure by United uStat/esp' Letters Patent is:V

. 1. An apparatus as described comprisinga liquid tank havin a filling opening, a perforated casing enc osing said opening and having a spout receiving portion, an electric lock mounted on vthe spout receiving: Jportion to engage and lock a filling spout therein, andmeans operated by the liquid when a predetermined quantity has been iilled into the tank lffor. operating the electric lock to release the filling spout.

' 2.- An ap aratus as described comprising a liquid tan rhaving a filling opening, a perforated casing mounted in said opening and to handle alarge num-t` so as to hold-it in placeduring the opening exteriorly of the tank, said casing being ormed to receive a filling spout, a filling spout having a valve therein, means for opening the valve when the filling spout is in lace, means for locking 'the filling spout I1n p1ace,.and means operated `when a predetermined quantity yof liquid is filled into the tank for releasing the 'locking means.

3. An apparatus as described comprisingl a liquid tank having a filling opening, aiperf forated casing mounted in said opening and openin exteriorly of the tank, said casing being ormed to receive a filling spout, a filling spout having a valve therein, means for opening .the valve when the filling spout is in place, means for locking the filling spout in place, means operated when@ predetermined quantity of liquid is filled into the. tank for releasing the locking means,|

and means for simultaneously closing the valve in the spout and partially ejecting the spout when the locking Pmeans is operated.

,4. In an apparatus as described the combination comprising a liquid tank, a perforated filling tube mounted; onsaid` tank and opening to the interior thereof through its perforat1ons,said tube being adapted to receive a illin spout, a liquid fillin spout, a valve in said spout, means in sai filling' tube for engagingsaid valve and opening it when the spout is in place, an electricallyoperated lock engaging said filling spout so as to hold it in place during the flling'operation, and means operated when 'a predetermined quantity of liquid is filled into Ithetank for operating the lock to release lthe spout.

5. In an apparatus as described the combination comprising a liquid tank, a perforated `filling tube mounted on said tank and opening to the interior thereof through its perforations, said' tube being adapted to receive a fill' spout, a liquid iillinl spout, a valve in sgg spout, means in sai afilling tube for engaging said valve and opening it when the spout 1s in place, an electrically operated lock engaging vsaid filling f'slplout operation, and a float operated switch `an circuit connectionsbetweenftheelectric lock and said switchwhereby the lock is operat-` ed to rel-sasstheauingspoutwhenhe liqthe tank' has reached a predetermined ev A 6. In an apparatus as described the combinationcomprising a liquid tank, a spout receiving `ilhngtube for said tank, a .filling spout, an electric lock mounted on said tube and engaieng the vspout to lock .it in place in the tu ,v a float operated switch, a second switch, circuits including both of said switches and said electric lock, and

means`on said spout for closing thev second switch when the spout is locked in the filling tube, the circuit to the electric lock being finally completed by tlie fioat operated switch when the liquid in the tank has reached a predetermined level.

7. In an apparatus as described the combination comprising a liquid tank, a filling tube passing through the wall of the tank and closed at the end projecting into the tank, said closed end being perforated, an end projecting exteriorly of the tank being formedto receive a filling spout, a filling spout, a valve in said filling spout, resilient means for normally holding the valve closed, a lock mounted on the filling tube for engaging the filling spout and locking it in filling position, means for opening the valve when the spout is in filling position, and means operated when the tank is filled with a predetermined quantity of liquid for operating the lock to release the spout.

8. In an apparatus as described the comi bination comprising a liquid tank, a fillingv tube passing through the wall of the tank and closed at the end projecting into the tank, said closed end being perforated, an end projecting exteriorly of the tank being formed to receive a filling spout, a filling spout, a valve in said filling spout, resilient means for normally holding the valve closed,an electric lock mounted on the filling tube for engaging the filling spout and locking it in filling position, means for opening the valve when the spout is in filling position, means operated when the tank is filled with a predetermined quantity of liquid for operating the lock to release the spout, a float operated switch on said tank arranged to be closed when the liquid in the tank has reached a predetermined level, a current source and circuits including said switch and electric lock whereby the lock is operated when the liquid in the tank has reached a predetermined level.

9. In an apparatus as described the combination comprising a liquid tank, a filling tube plassing through the wall of the tank and c osed at the end projecting into the tank, said closed end being perforated, an end projecting exteriorly of the tank being formed to receive a filling spout, a filling spout, a valve in said filling spout, resilient means for normally holding the valve closed, an electric lock mounted on the filling tube for engaging the filling spout and locking it in filling position, means for opening the valve when the spout is in filling position, means operated when the tank is filled with a predetermined quantity of liquid for operatingthe lock to-release the spout, a' float operated switch on said tank arranged to be closed when the liquid in the tank has reached a predetermined level, a current source and circuits including said switch and electric'nlock whereby the lock is operated when thel'iquid in the tank has reached ing a liquid tank, a tube extending through the wall of said tank and forming vat its exterior end a spout receiving portion and having a perforated wall closing the end within the tank, a spout to fit in said tube, a valve in said spout, a spring for normally holding the valve seated, means in said tube 'for opening the valve when the spout is placed in the tube, an electric lock for engaging the spout and locking it in position in the tubel when the valve is open, said spring being compressed, and means for operating the lock for releasing the spout when the tank is full, said spring partially ejecting the spout indicatingthatthe tank is full.

11. An apparatus as described comprising a liquid tank, a tube extending through the wall of said tank and forming at its eX- terior end a spout receiving portion and having a perforated wall closing the end within the tank, a spout to fit in said tube, a valve in said spout, a spring for normally holding the valve seated, means in said tube for opening the valve when -the spout is placed in the tube, an electric lock for engaging the spout and locking it in position in the ltube when the valve is open, said spring being compressed, means for operating the lock for releasing the spout` when the tank is full, said spring partially ejectin the spout indicating that the tank is fu l, and means operated by the liquid in' the tank when operating the lock when the tank is full. A

12. In an apparatus as described the combination comprising a liquid tank, a filling tube mounted on said tank so as to project into the interior thereof and provided with a perforated end Wall, a liquid-filling spout, a Valve in said spout, meansin said vfilling tube for engagng said valve to open it when the spout is in place, an electrically operated lock cooperating with said filling tube to lock the spout in place during the lling operation, and a fioat operated mercury switch mounted on said tank and connected to said electric lock for energizing it to release the filling spout when the liquid in the tank has reached a predetermined level.

13. The combination with a liquid tank, a filling tube mounted thereon so as to project into the interior thereof and having a perforated end wall and a spring operated valve in said filling tube normally held in closed position, of a filling spout adapted to engage said filling tube, a spring operated valve in said filling spout andvadapted to be opened when the lling spout isin filla perforated end wall and a sprin o ra l y3 hld in ing relation with the' filling tube, 'an electric lock mounted on sa1d fllin spout so as to enga e the filling-tube -hold the parte in (g position, an electric circuit socket mounte on said tank and a, circuit plug 'mounted on said llin s out so as to .en-

gage the socket when t e lin spout is in place, said plug being connecte to the electric lock.

14. The combination with a liquid-tank, a filling tube mounted thereon so as to project 1nto the interior thereof and ha valve in said 'filling tube normal closed position, of a vfilling spout adapted to engage said filling tube, a s ring operated valve in said filling s out an adapted to be opened when the fi ng spout is in llin relation with the filling tube, an electric loc mounted on saidilling spout so as'to engage, the filling tube. and socket `mounted. on said tank, a clrcuit plug mounted on said filling s out so as to engage t e socket when the ing spout is. in place, said plug being con-v nected to the electric lock, a current source and a float o erated switch connected to` said socket where y the-electric lock is energized to release the filling s out when the liquid in the tank has reac ed a predeterminedv level.

15. An apparatus as described comprising a liquid tank having a filling opening, a lling tube in said opening having a closed but perforated inner end projectlng 'into the tank, the outerI endformmg avspout receivin portion locki means associated with e tube ier locking fa illin out therein, and means controlled by t e evel of the liquid in the tank for operatin the lock to release the spout when a eterthe In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 9th day .of June A. D., v19321. f*

FRANK E. CASEY.

nined Euantity of liquid has been ed into 

